Minerva

Minerva apologises for causing dismay in “propagating a surgical myth” by drawing attention to a case report in Neurology about wonky noses causing headaches, a curiosity which an otolaryngologist points out (BMJ 2009;338:b1289) is a non-evidence based anecdote “dismissed by most rhinologists a long time ago.” Minerva blushes at the thought that she has unwittingly provided validity to the phenomenon in question, but reminds readers that she draws on all manner of information to include in her column, including studies which would never survive the rigours of the BMJ’s own publishing process.

A retrospective study of cardiac function in an African population undergoing regular dialysis and with a low prevalence of pre-existing cardiovascular disease suggests that dialysis and uraemia per se may not be major contributors to cardiovascular morbidity. In the study population, cardiac function seemed to be preserved over time and cardiac morbidity and mortality were low. In the developed world cardiac disease is common in patients undergoing dialysis, but these findings suggest that this heart disease is probably present before dialysis is started (Renal Failure …